Posts Tagged ‘community’
Wonderful Webkinz: Toys for Kids
The Webkinz are coming! Like hundreds of other fad toys before them, parents are hearing more about Webkinz these days, not from the news, but from their kids on the playground. Webkinz are yet another, not especially cute, Plush Animal. They come in all varieties, including ponies, pandas, monkeys, unicorns, and dogs. Manufactured by Ganz, the Webkinz retail for around $14-$15, when you can find them. What makes them different though is their “secret code” ID that is imprinted on their collar tag. The ID gives the owner a free year of access to Webkinz World, a site created just for kids. Webkinz World has games, contests and a virtual version of the their real Stuffed Animal. It also includes a “social networking” functionality that is safe for kids because they are limited to pre-set phrases to communicate.
Much like a Tamagochi, the hit toy a few years back for high tech kids, the online Webkinz pets use artificial intelligence to simulate living creatures. Kids actually report back that the pets are “kind of alive.” If you had or have a tamagochi in the house, you probably wondered whether it was good for the child, when you weren’t scheming how to end its endless beep-beeping.
Is a Webkinz like a pet? Should you let your child get in on this phenomenon?
Pros
• The Webkinz fluffy animal is not a real pet and doesn’t shed, eat food, bite, bark, wet, need a walk, or inconveniently die.
• Webkinz world may be more attractive than “shoot ‘em up” computer games
Cons
• The child’s imagination and creativity is limited by the software.
• Danger of online community taking the place of face-to-face play date interaction.
• Commercialization – Webkinz is a commercial toy, as you would expect.
• The parent should be aware that the purchase of the toy only includes a one year access to the site.
All things considered, dad may find this to be a fairly safe way to teach basic computer involvement to a small child and relatively harmless. At the same time, dads should make sure they feel comfortable with the Webkinz stories and that they are aligned with the family’s values.
There’s nothing that says that game play is better or worse when done on a computer versus on the floor with a board game.
About the Author
Paul Banas
PRiCE TAG ; webkinz MV
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Webkinz Halloween Black Cat Limited Edition $4.99 Webkinz Black Cat Special Edition. Cat plush is made of several different fabrics. Both cotton stuffed and beanie. Tag on arm contains a code for the Webkinz “Adopt A Pet” website, virtual pet game…. |
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Webkinz ‘Mazin Hamster – Spooky – Halloween 2010 $5.36 * Webkinz features the exciting online experience where your plush pet comes to life * Mazin Hamsters feature a virtual 3D online experience where you can build tunnels and mazes and race your hamsters through them! * Each Hamster comes with 1 code for a virtual version of that hamster * Online use of hamsters requires an already active Webkinz account, gained by activating the code fr… |
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Webkinz Endangered Signature – Red Wolf $16.00 Webkinz Signature pets are carefully crafted from the highest quality, ultra soft plush. Each design has realistic details and subtle colorations. All Webkinz and LilKinz sold at ToyWiz.com are guaranteed 100% official authentic Ganz Webkinz. All Webkinz come shipped in mint condition with a sealed unused code!… |
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Tag™ $29 Download the Tag™ font for Mac or Windows in OpenType, TrueType or PostScript format. |
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Tag Cardinal Platter by tag $30.49 Cardinal Platter by tag |
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Tag Whiteware Cheese Dome by tag $20.99 Whiteware Cheese Dome by tag |
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Tag Whiteware Gondola Bowl by tag $47.49 Whiteware Gondola Bowl by tag |
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Tag Leaves Wooden Tray by tag $54.14 Leaves Wooden Tray by tag |
